Finally! I can write again! Sorry for the long delay, but there were a ton of complications and had to order a new laptop. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy!

The Shepherds managed to escape from Validar's trap at Plegian Castle, clearing through the guards until they were either killed or had surrendered, though they had lost the Fire Emblem. Robin was sitting against one of the pillars near the castle's entrance, sulking over the horrible mistake he had made.

*I… I don't know what came over me…* He thought. *Is it because of my blood? Does it give Validar dominion over me? If so, does that mean Morgan, Rei'qu and Severa are susceptible to it, too?*

After pondering for a few more minutes, he finally stood up.

"I should probably tell Chrom that I'll have to stay behind when we fight Validar." He said to himself.

Before he was about to move, Lucina walked up to him.

"Beg pardon, Robin." She greeted. "Might I have a word with you?"

"What is it, Lucina?" Robin asked.

"It's about my father." She answered. "I have memories of him, from when I was little. Before… his death…"

Robin listened intently to Lucina, especially with her tone being more serious than usual.

Nearby, Chrom and Say'ri were walking through the castle halls.

"Robin is really shaken up." She said.

"I can't say I know how he feels." Chrom said. "Never had someone else control my body. But he's my best friend. I can't do this without him. He's stronger than he thinks."

"I still find it hard to believe THAT man was Robin's father."

"Heh, that caught me off guard, too. I still can't imagine how anyone wanted to mate with him."

Chrom and Say'ri chuckled at the joke as they went outside. However, Chrom went silent and ran behind a pillar.

"Say'ri, hide!" Chrom whispered.

"Huh?" Say'ri was confused at Chrom's actions.

She then looked ahead and saw Robin and Lucina a fair distance away.

"He was courageous, kind and everyone spoke fondly and highly of him." She continued. "People say he was brave, even to the end."

"You must be very proud of him."

"I've always yearned to know him better, and now that I do, I see that the world will lose a great man. I won't allow that to happen."

"I understand. You love him, we all do."

"Robin, I…"

Lucina hesitated to speak and it seemed as though something dark had come over her. In an instant, she pulled out her Falchion and pointed it right at Robin's neck.

"Lucina?!" Robin exclaimed.

"Stay where you are, Robin!" Lucina threatened. "This is the only option."

Robin then recalled the dream he had before waking up in the field where Chrom had found him. "… So you've figured it out, too."

"In my future, you kill my father."

"I am… That's why I want to be out of the next battle."

"I've seen how close you are. I didn't think it was possible that you could be his murderer… But once Validar took control of you, I knew what I had to do. I HAVE to kill you. You know Father would never go into battle without you, no matter what."

Robin sighed. "You have a point there, but that's no reason to kill me."

"Father says that we can change our future, and that's what I intend to do. I don't want to do this, but in war, sacrifices have to be made. As a tactician, you know this."

"I don't make sacrifices, Lucina! Every soldier may be willing to put their life on the line, but that doesn't mean they should get the chance! Emmeryn and Cordelia's deaths didn't just weigh on Chrom's mind, but mine as well!"

"Robin…" Lucina began trembling and tears were streaming down her face. "Don't make this harder than it already is. I promise to make your death quick and painless."

"Stop being selfish!"

Lucina froze in place, just as she was about to ready a killing strike.

"It's noble that you're doing this for the sake of your father and the world, but what about everyone else? I'm not only a dear friend to all in the Shepherds, but a father to three wonderful daughters. But they aren't the only reason I still need to live. Say'ri already lost her parents and her brother. I don't want to see her lose another loved one ever again."

Eventually, Lucina broke down and collapsed to the ground.

"Robin, I-I…!" She cried. "Please forgive me! I… I…"

"It's all right, Lucina…" Robin gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "I don't hate you. You had good intentions. But Chrom and I are inseparable. We've been through far too much to give up now. I swear it, we'll stop Validar, and no one will die. Not Chrom, not me, not you, no one. Even if the chance of success is small, I'll take it over any other."

Lucina was now sniffling in Robin's cloak. He wrapped his arms around her and petted the back of her head.

"Come on, let's go back to Chrom." Robin said gently.

A few hours later, the Shepherds had moved on and camped out in the wilderness on their way to the Dragon's Table, where Validar would attempt to resurrect Grima. Robin was sitting near the edge of a cliff, a starry sky above him.

"Robin, why are you not in bed?"

Robin turned his head and saw Say'ri walking up to him, taking a seat next to him on the cliff.

"Sorry if I worried you." Robin said. "With everything that's happened today, a lot's on my mind and I can't get to sleep."

"I must confess…" Say'ri said. "Chrom and I were eavesdropping on your conversation with Lucina earlier. Are you sure we will win?"

"As a tactician, I have to consider all variables… But everything has to go exactly as planned, or else Lucina's future WILL come to pass."

"What will you do once the war is over?"

"Well, you probably have to go back to Chon'sin to rebuild your country, so I'm going to do the same and help Chrom get Ylisse back in shape."

Say'ri became saddened from Robin's response.

"But when I'm done, I'm going to Chon'sin."

Say'ri looked up at Robin.

"I promised to come see your country, didn't I? I want to see it in all its majesty. The cherry trees, everything. But there's one other thing I want to do when I get there?"

"Hm?"

"Well… I…" Robin was blushing and twiddling his fingers. "I'll tell you later. When the time is right."

"Why wait?"

"It's… I can't say. It's a surprise."

"A surprise? Fie! I suppose I can wait."

A/N: I decided to make this chapter short since you've all been waiting so long. This chapter turned out a bit differently than originally planned, but I hope it was at least enjoyable. Since Robin is Chrom's best friend, it figures that regardless of being a love interest or not she and Robin would have a close relationship. In this story, it's more like an uncle-niece thing. Anyway, only five more chapters to go after this! Stay tuned for next time!